Hiking with kids is a day playing in the Rocky Mountains with your family.

There is nothing I enjoy quite as much as spending a day with my family out for a walk in the mountains.  Exploring the mountains with your family is an adventure.  You never know what you are going to come across on the trail – maybe you will see a big mammal grazing in a meadow or come across some really strange looking bug.

These hikes are some of my favorites in Utah.  They are between 2 and 6 miles long, making them a bit hard for very small kids, but not too long for most five and six year olds.  A little warning – some of these hikes do have sharp drop offs and do involve some climbing.  These are really aimed at people with some hiking experience.  This list names the hike, what is fun about it and where in Utah it is located.  For more information you can just google the name of the trail.

Spooky and Peekaboo Canyons – Escalante

• Fun slot canyons, scrambling, adventure, short hike down to canyons, rocks to climb on

• Difficulty – Moderate

• Best time of year – spring, fall

• Not for the claustrophobic.

Lakes Loop (Clyde Lake) – Trial Lake Trailhead – Uinta Mountains

• High peaks, lots of small mountain lakes, fishing, fish, salamanders if you can find them, mountain goats, rocks, cliffs.
• Difficulty – Moderate
• Best time of year – summer, fall

Dog Lake – Mill Creek Canyon – Wasatch Front

• Creek, wildflowers, aspen, dogs, beautiful small lake
• Difficulty – Moderate
• Best time of year – summer, fall

Cecret Lake in Albion Basin

• Gorgeous mountain basin, tons of wildflowers, rocks to climb on, wildlife if you are lucky (marmot, pika, mountain goat, moose)
• Difficulty – Easy to Moderate depending on start point
• Best time of year – summer, early fall

Corona Arch – Moab vicinity

• Red rock country, slick rock, huge arch you can walk under, great views
• Difficulty – Moderate
• Best time of year – spring, fall, winter

Ruth Lake – Uintas Mountains

• Short hike to beautiful lake, big mountains, rocks, great views, high elevation (just over 10,000 feet!)
• Difficulty – Easy
• Best time of year – summer, fall

Willis Creek Narrows – Escalante

• Great, fun easy narrows, creek, kids can walk in or next to ankle deep water, crazy rock formations

• Difficulty – Easy

• Best time of year – spring, summer, fall

• A short drive on bad roads

Little Wildhorse Canyon – San Rafael Swell

• Best walk in slot canyon, super fun, narrows, tight spaces, rocks to climb on, adventure
• Difficulty – Easy/Moderate
• Best time of year – late spring, summer, fall